New Stephen Poliakoff Films For BBC

Britain's finest television, film and stage actors star alongside talented newcomers in two new films written and directed by the inimitable, award-winning auteur, Stephen Poliakoff.

Acting legends Michael Gambon and Maggie Smith lead a stellar cast, including Rupert Penry Jones (Spooks), Kelly Reilly (Mrs Henderson Presents), David Walliams (Little Britain), Ruth Wilson (Jane Eyre), Rebecca Hall (Starter for Ten) and Danny Lee Wynter, in his first role since graduating from The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art this summer.

Lorraine Heggessey, CEO at talkbackThames, says: "talkbackTHAMES has been producing with Stephen for the past eight years and working with him is such a great privilege.

"He attracts the very best talent in the business, both in front of and behind the camera, and these films are no exception.

"They are beautiful, compelling stories which have been impeccably cast and will of course be directed in Stephen's inimitable way which makes these pieces so exceptional."

Jane Tranter, Controller of BBC Fiction, says: "It takes a major piece of work and a unique auteur to deliver a project that straddles two BBC channels.

"Stephen Poliakoff is such a talent and with the depth and breath of the amazingly gifted cast assembled across Poliakoff 2006 and Capturing Mary, I am certain that the finished product will be awe-inspiring."

In Poliakoff 2006 (working title), a major new film for BBC One, multi-award winning writer director Stephen Poliakoff explores the relationship between the two central characters, Elliot (played by Michael Gambon), a reclusive billionaire, and Joe (played Danny Lee Wynter), the teenage son of a cleaner who takes care of a grand neighbouring house.

The beautiful but dormant house is owned, though not inhabited, by Elliot who lives close by.

It has many echoes of the past – maybe it was once grand offices, or a place for parties and functions. Elliot has inherited the house and its mysteries from his now-dead father.

Part messenger, part protégé, Joe is a link between Elliot and the outside world as their story and the stories of the visitors to the empty house ricochet and reverberate.